Mr. Smith did not receive his medication on time, as ordered, because his nurse forgot about it and went on her lunch break. Consequently, Mr. Smith's condition deteriorated, and he was sent to the emergency room. What legal term describes this form of professional negligence?

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale: Obtaining consent directly from a client who has received IV morphine sulfate is invalid due to impaired cognitive function. Morphine acts on mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing alertness, memory retention, and decision-making capacity. Informed consent requires full comprehension of risks, benefits, and alternatives. Morphine’s sedative effects compromise this standard. Normal Glasgow Coma Scale should be 15 for full alertness; sedation lowers this, rendering consent legally and ethically unsound.

Choice B rationale: The nurse cannot legally sign the consent on behalf of the client, even if the client is acknowledged. This violates the principle of autonomy and informed decision-making. The nurse’s role is to witness the client’s signature, not substitute it. Morphine impairs cognition, and any consent obtained under its influence is invalid. Legal standards require that the client be alert, oriented, and capable of understanding the procedure. Proxy consent must be pursued if capacity is compromised.

Choice C rationale: When a client is under the influence of opioids and lacks decision-making capacity, consent must be obtained from a legally authorized representative, such as a relative or healthcare proxy. Morphine alters consciousness and impairs executive function, making the client temporarily incompetent. Legal surrogates are empowered to make healthcare decisions in such cases. This ensures ethical compliance and protects patient rights. The nurse must verify documentation of proxy authority before proceeding with consent.

Choice D rationale: Delaying the procedure may be necessary if no authorized proxy is available, but it is not the first action. The priority is to identify and contact a legally authorized representative to obtain valid consent. Delays can compromise care, especially in urgent surgical cases. The nurse must act promptly to secure proxy consent, ensuring procedural integrity and patient safety. Only if no proxy is reachable should delay be considered, with documentation of rationale.

A nurse's best protection against negligence or malpractice is to follow the standards of practice. These standards define the acceptable level of care that a nurse is expected to provide and are based on current evidence and professional consensus. By adhering to these standards, a nurse can demonstrate that they have provided care that meets the expected level of quality and safety.

The other options are not the best protection against negligence or malpractice. Asking permission from the managing nurse prior to performing any duties [a] may be helpful in some situations, but it is not a guarantee against negligence or malpractice. Never being alone with a patient [c] is not practical or necessary for providing safe and effective care. Recording patient interactions with your phone [d] may violate patient privacy and is not an effective way to prevent negligence or malpractice.